News & Updates

April Newsletter: Interview with victim advocate Malena Stevens

Post Date:04/07/2017 4:53 PM

SO MANY WAYS TO STAY ENGAGED IN OUR COMMUNITY

Friends,

Engaged residents and citizens are an essential component for creating and sustaining our complete community. This month's newsletter highlights several ways for you to become and stay engaged with city projects and initiatives.

There will be two meetings about parking management in Old Town on April 12 & 13. These are the first in a series of ongoing public forums, which will give you an opportunity to learn the outlines of the plan, as well as provide input about your parking and commuting needs.

We will be hosting Coffee with Council on Tuesday, April 25. My fellow councilors and I have enjoyed these informal chats with residents because they give us a sense of what's important to you.

We currently have openings on three boards (information below). Boards and commissions are one of the most powerful ways you can make your voice heard and help create a bright future for our town.

And, lastly, we have an article about what to consider if you're thinking about running for office (the filing window for City Council opens June 1).We welcome a diversity of voices on our council, and I would ask everyone who may be interested to strongly consider running.Be sure to also save the date for our Running for Office workshop on May 17 (details to follow).

I look forward to seeing you at our next community event!

— Jack Thomas, Mayor

INFORMATION IS THE KEY TO TAKING BACK YOUR POWER

Malena Stevens: Victim advocates assist the victim of any violent crime, as well as people who are subject to the threat of violence such as stalking. Our cases include sexual assault and domestic violence as well as simple assaults such as bar fights. We also assist with unattended deaths and suicides. We provide information and emotional support, and we connect the victims with legal, housing, medical, and other resources.

PCMC: How many clients do you work with, and what is the demographic composition?

MS: I have an average of 150 clients a year, about 75 percent of whom are women. The majority of my cases are related to domestic violence. People should understand that domestic violence does not discriminate: it affects every socio-economic level and segment of the community. I have clients from some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in town; in fact, money can be a key way to abuse and control someone. Attorneys can help victims put together a financial game plan, which is one reason we encourage people to contact us if they are thinking of leaving and abusive situation.

WHAT TO CONSIDER IF YOU'RE CONSIDERING RUNNING FOR OFFICE

You—yes you—should think about serving

City Council elections are in November, and three seats, including the mayor’s, will be on the ballot. The filing window is fast approaching (June 1-7). Before you file, Park City Election Official Michelle Kellogg and Councilwoman Becca Gerber offer the following helpful background.

Technical Filing Requirements

PCMC: What should people know about the process before they decide to file?

Michelle Kellogg: We want potential candidates to understand the laws and protocols that govern municipal elections. Understanding these will save them a lot of unnecessary effort and confusion.Read on to learn the basics of filing and what to expect when campaigning and serving.

WHERE DOES PARK CITY'S STORMWATER END UP?

When it rains or snows in Park City, stormwater that flows into the gutters and storm drains eventually end up in McLeod and Silver Creeks without being treated. These creeks drain into the Weber River, which flows into the Great Salt Lake. It’s important that you never use the gutter or storm drain to dispose of used kitchen chemicals. Use environmentally safe products or contact the Summit County Landfill to find out how to dispose of your unwanted hazardous kitchen materials.

It’s important that we think big picture and do everything we can to prevent the contamination of Utah’s water system. Visit parkcityutilities.org to learn how.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend the following meetings this month. Follow this link for additional meeting information and agendas.

Can't make it to City Council or Planning Comission in person? Attend virtually or download the recording via the Listen Livelink.

This month we will be kicking off an ongoing series of community forums to discuss the upcoming Old Town Parking Management Plan. Please join us for the first in the series of discussions this month at the Park City Library. We want to hear your commuting and parking needs, and get your input on incentive programs. We hope to see you there!

PRESERVATION UTAH HONORS PCMC WITH TWO HERITAGE AWARDS

Last night, PCMC staff received two Heritage Awards in the category of Stabilization, Restoration, or Renovation from Preservation Utah. The California Comstock Mill Building and the McPolin Farm were both recognized.

Over the summer of 2016 and with the help of local contractor, Clark Martinez Xcavation Inc., construction crews carefully cleared debris, salvaged structural members, and reconstructed the back half of the California Comstock Mill Building. The mill is no longer threatened by collapse, and the structural stabilization will allow for the safe, future restoration efforts on the stone foundation and remaining wood structure. This project was executed in collaboration with Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History and Park City Mountain, on whose property the building sits. Special thanks to both entities for helping bring this project to fruition.

The McPolin Barn—the iconic national historic landmark that graces the entry corridor on SR224—will stand tall for generations to come, thanks to a extensive structural upgrade. The six-month-long construction project—led by CRSA Architects and Hogan Construction—wrapped up in December. The scope included new footings installed underneath the barn floor, new interior structural framing, a new brace frame on the interior of the gambrel roof, and the restoration of historic windows and installation of replica windows, which has allowed the first to be daylit for the first time in a generation. The adjacent silos were also seismically stabilized and patched. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held in the summer.

The Heritage Awards "celebrate the people who make preservation happen." Thank you to all of the dedicated PCMC staff—including Matt Twombly, Denise Carey, Anya Grahn, and Jarren Chamberlain—as well as the volunteers, residents, businesses, architects, nonprofits, and contractors who help Park City maintain our rich history.

PCMC STAFFER PRESENTS NET-ZERO CONCEPTS AT SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT

Energy project manager Bina Skordas outlined how the city's water- and energy-conservation programs can be applied to other communities

On March 17, PCMC Energy Project Manager Bina Skordas took part in a panel discussion titled “Net Zero Intersections: Energy, Carbon & Water.” The panel was part of the Intermountain Sustainability Summit at Weber State University. Ms. Skordas explained that the term “net-zero” generally refers to a building or other system that produces as much of something (such as energy or water) as it consumes. Ms. Skordas and the panelists addressed the applications and scalability of net-zero concepts and outlined how the should shape planning and goal-setting at both the building and broader community level (including municipalities and campus environments). Ms. Skordas used PCMC’s net-zero goals and programs to illustrate how these concepts can be applied in real-world settings. Brava, Bina!

Community boards are the lifeblood of our local democracy, and our city government couldn't run without them. Please help keep our institutions strong and vibrant. Right now, there are openings for three city boards: Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation, and Library. Terms and meeting commitments vary, but you can learn more and download the applications by visiting the Boards & Commissions tab on the city's website.

CITY LEADERS EDUCATE PCMC STAFF ABOUT CLIMATE REALITY PROJECT

Park City has North America’s most ambitious climate goals: to be net-zero carbon and running on 100% renewable electricity by 2022 for municipal operations, and by 2032 community-wide.

On March 31, 40 municipal employees attended a Climate Reality Project presentation by city manager Diane Foster, Mayor Jack Thomas, and Environmental Sustainability Manager Luke Cartin at the Park City Library. The informational presentation covered the latest climate science and recent extreme weather events, as well as solutions to solving the climate crisis. After the presentation, employees were invited to share their ideas of what Park City should stop doing, start and stop doing, and continue to reach its climate goals.

If you are interested in hosting a Climate Reality Project presentation for your organization, please contact Celia Peterson at celia.peterson@parkcity.org.

SAVE THE DATE: COFFEE WITH COUNCIL APRIL 25

Mayor Jack Thomas & Councilwoman Becca Gerber hosted the March Council community outreach event at the Spur on March 28. Great conversation! Thanks to everyone who attended. Save the date for our next event in the series: Coffee with Council, Tuesday, April 25, from 9:00 to 10:30 am at the Park City Library. Look for an invitation in your email later this month.

PARK CITY WASTE & RECYCLING CONTAINER ETIQUETTE

In 2015, Park City adopted a Waste & Recycling Receptacle Ordinance and amended municipal code for all properties in Old Town.The code specifies:

Receptacles can be curbside no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the night before collection. For example, if collection day in Old Town is Thursday, receptacles are allowed curbside starting at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday.

Receptacles must be removed by 11:59 p.m. the day of collection. For example, if collection day in Old Town is Thursday, receptacles must be removed by 11:59 p.m. Thursday. If collection is delayed due to weather, holiday schedules, or any other reason, receptacles must be removed by 11:59 p.m. that day.

All receptacles must be labeled with your street address with a 2-inch label. If your address is 123 Main Street, “123” is the required information on the front and the top of your receptacles. Labels may be stickers, written, painted, or otherwise applied. Labels must not interfere with the collection of the receptacle.

Full details of the municipal code and the ordinance are available here. If you have any questions, please contact Code Enforcement at 435.615.5100.Summit County also provides helpful waste and recycling information on their website.